This picture was taken at the NYC People’s Power Assembly meeting Sept. 6.
On Tuesday, Sept. 12, some of the Durham freedom fighters who allegedly tore down a confederate statue are in court facing serious charges. That day NYC will stand in solidarity with these activists at a demonstration at Columbus Circle, 59th Street and Broadway, at 6:30 PM.
Please make a sign like this from your city and post the pictures on social media, with the hashtags: #DoItLikeDurham #DropTheCharges
ON THE ONE-MONTH ANNIVERSARY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE
NATIONWIDE ACTIONS SAY: DROP THE CHARGES ON THE DURHAM 14
Actions in Durham & nationwide set to mark the Sept 12 court appearance for anti-racist activists
arrested in Confederate monument toppling
NEW YORK ACTION: TUES SEPT 12, 6:30 PM
AT THE COLUMBUS CIRCLE MONUMENT
59TH STREET & BROADWAY
New York, NY – Several dozen organizations have endorsed a national week of action set for September 11 through 17 to topple white supremacy. The week of action is organized around the September 12 court date for anti-racist activists arrested in Durham in connection with the toppling of the Confederate monument.
September 12 is also the one-month anniversary of the murder of anti-fascist protester Heather Heyer, as well as of the vicious beating of Deandre Harris, a 20-year-old Black man, by a pack of white supremacists in Charlottesville, VA. Actions will take place in cities across the country.
The September 12 action in New York will begin at 6:30 at the Columbus Circle Monument and after rally speeches will march to CNN.
The demonstration will also express solidarity with Indigenous people who continue to lead the fight against racist monuments to genocidal conquistadors like Christopher Columbus. The Trump administration’s repeal of the Deferred Action for Child Arrivals (DACA) will also be a focal point.
“Tuesday, September 12, marks one month since Charlottesville. It is also the next court appearance for nine of us facing felony and misdemeanor charges,” said Loan Tran, one of the anti-racist activists charged in connection with the monument toppling.
“We are calling on anti-racist, anti-fascist people of conscience everywhere — across the world — to organize solidarity actions in your city or join us in Durham on September 12 to boldly and unapologetically proclaim: from Charlottesville to Durham to the White House, toppling white supremacy is not a crime!”
Since the action that brought the monument down on August 14, Durham County Sheriff Mike Andrews has been engaged in what activists describe as a witchhunt against anti-racist freedom fighters. To date, 14 people have been arrested and had charges filed against them in connection with both the monument toppling and a massive anti-Ku Klux Klan rally in Durham on August 18.
Despite the charges from the sheriff, anti-racist activists have reiterated their determination to continue to carry the fight forward to topple white supremacy in all its forms.
“A sleeping giant is waking. Not only do the people have the right to remove symbols and institutions of racism — we have the power. We are unafraid. We will not be complicit. We will not stand by. We need everyone to become a soldier in this struggle,” Takiyah Thompson, an NCCU student and member of Workers World Party stated.
ENDORSERS of the NYC ACTION: BAYAN, USA • Brooklyn Anti-Gentrification Network • Equality for Flatbush • Families United for Racial & Economic Equality (FUREE) • Hoods 4 Justice • ILPS, US Chapter • International Action Center • May 1st Coalition for Worker & Immigrant Rights • Metropolitan Anarchist Coordinating Council • NYC Shut It Down • People’s Power Assemblies • Workers World Party * Women’s Fightback Network
-30-
